Just want to vent
I know I’ve been away from this blog for a long time. College and life got in the way. But now that things are how they are, I feel like I can vent here. Most of you probably haven’t heard much about this, but Puerto Rico has been experiencing earthquakes since December 28th. On January 7th, around 4:30 a.m., the island was woken up by a 6.4 earthquake on the south coast of the island (where I live). While this may not sound that strong, thousands have lost their homes, thousands are sleeping on the street. A man on my neighborhood died. A school completely collapsed, many others had damage as well, and I can’t even begin to think what would’ve been if there were any students inside. All would be dead. The government has failed to protect its students and citizens (most of the schools and public residential areas were in a very poor state, and no action was taken to help the situation). Meanwhile, in San Juan no one seems to care about the children and adults living on the street, who need clothes, food and water. This hasn’t stopped. It’s still shaking. In just a week, three 6.0+ earthquakes have shaken the island, and many other moderate aftershocks that, while not as strong, continue to weaken the structure of many buildings, putting thousands puerto ricans in danger. Just today I was woken up by a 6.1 quake. Needless to say, 2020 has not been kind to Puerto Rico, we are terrified over here in the southern coast.
Now that I gave some information about the kind of things that have happened, I just want to say that I can’t imagine how horrifying it must’ve been in places like Japan 2011 or Haiti 2010. I am exhausted. I am tired of living in fear that my house is going to fall over me and kill me and my family. I am tired of being on the lookout. I am terrified that an even bigger event might happen at some point. Every little noise is enough to make us jump a little (the noise, the roar that comes before every quake, is forever recorded in our minds). Nights seem longer than they are because the strongest quakes have all happened during nighttime (and believe me, being wide awake at three in the morning, thinking that it’s going to shake at any moment, is a horrible feeling). I am horrified and saddened for all of the people sleeping under the sky in the cold of the night (and these last nights have been very cold). We can’t live normally until this stops. My best friend lives in one of the most affected towns and lost his home. My other best friend is surrounded by fallen buildings and can’t get out of her home. Many of my friends and family are emotionally scarred for life and have developed PTSD (myself probably included, the silence and darkness of the night brings too many terrors). And even though things like this don’t matter (because our life comes first), I want my college to be okay, because this canpus is like a second home to me, a safe space. I just want this to end.
I know Puerto Rico has gone through other horrible events (just remembeeing the long hours we spent hiding from Huricane María are enough to make me shiver), but this is just too much. I can’t help but think of those whose houses were destroyed by María.
Sorry for this long and tiresome rant. I’m out for now. Just know that I am okay (physically, as all puerto ricans have clarified these last few days).
